Illuminated safety curbing

ABSTRACT

An illuminated safety curbing construction which utilizes a diving bell configuration to protect illuminators from damage by water entering the structure and employing hidden fastening means to secure its translucent cover to its base. Single- or doublefaced elongated illuminated curbing sections are adapted to be combined in various configurations with a nose section to form curbings and dividers for different traffic separator situations. Special fastening means provide flexibility and ruggedness to withstand the impact of vehicle wheels.

United States Patent Baatz 51 May 16, 1972 [54] ILLUMINATED SAFETYCURBING Wilfried Baatz, Bellevue, Wash.

[73] Assignee: Traffic & Safety Control Systems, Inc.,

Seattle, Wash.

[22] Filed: June8, 1970 [21] Appl.No.: 44,235

[72] Inventor:

s2 u.s.c| ....240/2,40/132,94/31 51 met. ..F21v33/00 [58] FieldofSearch..240/2,2B;40/l30,l32;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Shaffer ..40/l 30 1,648,4591 1/1927 Mendoza ..94/1 .5 2,503,574 4/1950 Allen .340/114 UX 2,920,184l/l960 Kessler ..240/2 Primary Examiner-Louis J. CapoziAttorney-Christensen, Sanborn & Matthews [5 7] ABSTRACT An illuminatedsafety curbing construction which utilizes a diving bell configurationto protect illuminators from damage by water entering the structure andemploying hidden fastening means to secure its translucent cover to itsbase. Singleor double-faced elongated illuminated curbing sections areadapted to be combined in various configurations with a nose section toform curbings and dividers for different traffic separator situations.Special fastening means provide flexibility and ruggedness to withstandthe impact of vehicle wheels.

10 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures Patented May 16, 1972 .2 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR. W/A/ F/ED 514 475 BY 1 a DA AfiUP/VE/f ILLUMINATED SAFETYCURBING BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION section referred to as anose section, and in hidden fasteningmeans utilized in assembling thestructure.

Prior constructions for illuminated curbings and the like have had anumber of disadvantages limiting their usefulness under the severeconditions existing on high-speed freeways and high-density arterials.In particular, such prior constructions have not been sufficientlystrong or durable, and they have required means for sealing against theentry of water or means for waterproofing internal illuminators. Noknown prior construction has been adequately designed to performsuccessfully the dual functions of acting as a portion of regularcurbing for daytime traffic separation and roadway marking and as anilluminated marker under conditions of poor visibility. Further, theyhave been insufficiently adapted for ease of construction, installationand maintenance.

In overcoming the disadvantages of prior devices, the invention providesa new illuminated traffic delineator and marker designed to providetraffic engineers an effective new design component to increase safetyunder conditions of poor visibility. The illuminated curbingconstruction disclosed herein preferably employs a reinforced, pre-castconcrete base with an extra heavy-duty translucent fiberglass cover ofdiving bell configuration which houses an incandescent or fluorescentillumination fixture. The fiberglass cover is extremely durable,provides soft, even light diffusion and prevents water from entering thespace occupied by the fixture and causing a short circuit.

Three basic configurations are disclosed herein, namely a nose terminal,a single-face curbing section and a double face curbing section. Otherconfigurations including inside and outside curves are also possible.These basic components may be used as independent units or incombinations to meet the requirements of virtually any roadway ortraffic separator design. The cross-sectional shape of the curbingblends easily with conventional curbings and the deep base designpermits future roadway resurfacing without disturbing existinginstallations.

More specifically, the combination according to the invention includes abase structure, a light transmitting cover havin g airtight top and sidewalls integrally connected and open at the bottom to form a diving bellconfiguration for preventing entry of water above a predetermined leveltherein by virtue of the air trapped within the cover. Means areprovided for securing the cover to the base structure, and for mountingthe illuminators on the base structure within the bell-like cover abovethe predetermined water limit level. The base structure preferablyincludes an upright portion outside the cover which extends to a heightsubstantially equal to that of the cover to support the weight ofvehicles driving over the curbing and strengthening it against highspeed impact. The cover is preferably made of a high strength resilienttranslucent material such as fiberglass.

In one form of the invention the base and cover have a generallysemicircular shape when viewed from above to form a nose section for useat the end of a highway divider or other curbing structure. In otherforms the combination includes an elongated single-face or double-facecurbing, either straight or slightly curved, for use in differenttraffic delineator configurations The means for securing the cover tothe base structure is virtually completely hidden from view. Either theupright base portion or the adjacent back wall portion includes anelongated keyway, while the other includes a corresponding elongated keyadapted to be received in the keyway. A fastening means at the front ofthe structure secures the front of the cover to the horizontal baseportion and holds the key in the keyway, preventing vertical, horizontalor longitudinal relative movement between the cover and base. The keyand keyway terminate short of the ends of the curbing section so thatthey are not visible.

The invention also resides in certain other advantageous details ofconstruction, as will be more apparent from the following detaileddescription of preferred forms of the invention illustrated in theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an isometric view of asingle-face illuminated curbing section according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a double-face illuminated curbing sectionaccording to the invention.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a nose section of illuminated curbingaccording to the invention.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of an assembled traffic divider utilizing a nosesection, a double-face curbing section and single-face curbing sections(partially shown) in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional side view of the nose section shown inFIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a partially sectioned plan view of the nose section shown inFIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a perspective, partially sectioned and disassembled view of asingle-face curbing section according to the invention.

FIG. 8 is a sectional front view of the end portion of the assembledilluminated curbing construction showing the manner in which theilluminator fixture is mounted therein, taken along lines 8-8 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 9 is a sectional end view of the single-face illuminated curbingconfiguration of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a partially sectioned plan view of the single-face curbingshown in FIGS. 8 and 9, taken along lines l0-l0 of FIG. 9.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In accordance with theinvention various illuminated curbing sections are assembled indifferent combinations to form curbings and markers along the sides ofroadways or traffic separators at intersections, exits, entrances andthe like. The illuminated curbing serves in the same fashion as anordinary concrete curbing during conditions of good visibility. It issufficiently visible without illumination under normal daytimeconditions and appears simply as a painted curbing. When illuminated atnight, or under daytime conditions of poor visibility, the curbingserves as an illuminated marking clearly delineating the intendedtraffic channel or division without necessity for auxiliary externalillumination. The fiberglass cover can be colored for different trafficmarking purposes. The single-face curbing 10 of FIG. 1, the double-facecurbing 12 of FIG. 2 and the nose or terminal section 14 of FIG. 3 maybe assembled, for example, in the traffic separator configurationillustrated in FIG. 4. The double-face curbing section 12 lies betweenparallel portions of roadway, while the singleface curbing sections 10diverge as the roadways diverge and they are separated from thedouble-face section by a connector 16 of concrete or other suitablematerial.

While the nose section and the elongated singleand double-face curbingsections differ somewhat in construction,

they have important features in common. The construction of the nosesection 14 is best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The base 16, which can beconstructed of steel, cast iron or concrete, has a generallysemicircular shape in the plan view. The outer rim 17 includes ashoulder or seat 18 adapted to receive the cover 20, and a peripheralflange 22, the outer semicircular portion of which has spaced holes 24for receiving screws 26 which secure the cover to the base. No screwsare included along the straight back of the nose section, since theseare not needed and would be inaccessible when the back of the nosesection is abutted against the end of the double-face curbing section12, for example.

in the center of the nose section is an electrical conduit receivinghole 28 in the tubular portion 30 which is connected to the rim of thenose section by horizontal web portions 32 and radial ribs 34. In thecenter of the three forward web portions 32 holes 36 are optionallyincluded for drainage or for spiking or otherwise fastening the nosesection to the pavement or other supporting surface.

The tubular portion 30 extends to a level above the rim seat 18 uponwhich the lower edge of the translucent cover rests. On top of thetubular portion a flanged mount 38 is secured to support an electricalillumination fixture thereon. Incandescent (or other) illuminators 42are thus supported within the nose section well above the lower edge ofthe translucent cover so that under flooding conditions water cannotreach the fixture by virtue of the diving bell configuration of thecover 20. Electrical connections are made within the fixture 42 out ofreach of water entering the base. Hence there is no need for elaboratewater seals in the curbing structure.

The cover 20 is made of a high-strength, resilient, light transmittingmaterial such as fiberglass, and consists of a top portion 44 andforward and rear downwardly extending side wall portions 46 and 48integrally connected to form a diving bell configuration which is curvedon the front and substantially straight and vertical on the back. One ormore reinforcing ribs 50 may be included in the cover 20. The ribextends from the rim flange 22 at the frontto the vertical side wall 48at the back to strengthen the cover against vehicle impact while stillpermitting flexibility to prevent breakage. The cover 20 can be easilyremoved by removing the screws 26 to replace the illuminators 42. Theouter rim 17 of the base is of sufficient height to permit roadwayresurfacing without disturbing the installation.

While the diving bell principle is employed in the elongated singleanddouble-face illuminated curbing configurations of H05. 1 and 2, just asin the nose section 14, the translucent cover and the base structurediffer from that of the illustrated nose section in important respects.The base 52 of the singleface curbing includes a front or lowerhorizontal portion 54 and an upright or rear portion 56 formingsubstantially a right angle with the front portion 54. The translucentfiberglass cover 58 has an elongated quarter-round configurationoccupying the angle formed by the front and rear portions of the basestructure. (The nose section may also be constructed with such anupright back portion).

The double-face curbing section 12 of FIG. 2 merely comprises twosingle-faced curbings back to back with a single base structure havingfirst and second lower or front portions 60 and 62 and a single centerupright portion 64 which has a thickness greater than but less thandouble that of the upright portion 56 of the single-face curbing.Otherwise the construction of the single-face and double-face curbingsections are identical, having interchangeable translucent coverings 58and internal illumination fixtures and securing means.

The base structures are preferably made of concrete or similar material,but it is generally not practical for them to be formed at theinstallation site since they are constructed to more precise dimensionsthan are generally possible on location. in other words, the inventioncontemplates preferably prefabricated illuminated curbing units whichcan be installed as the curbing or portions of the curbing at anylocation in which an illuminated curbing marker is advantageous orrequired. The illuminated curbing is fastened to the roadway orsupporting surface by any suitable means (not shown) such as pins,spikes or an adhesive. Preinstalled subsurface electrical wiring orconduits are appropriately located to deliver electrical power to thecurbing at the critical locations.

The partially hidden securing means includes an elongated longitudinalkeyway 66 in the lower portion 54 of the base 52 and a similar elongatedlongitudinal keyway 68 in the upright portion 56. In each case the keysand keyways extend less than the full length of the unit. Thetranslucent cover 58, which has a curved top portion 70 and front wallportion 72 and a vertical rear wall 74, includes an elongatedlongitudinal key 76 which fits into the keyway 68 in the upright portion56 of the base. A removable elongated key element 78 is received in thekeyway 66 in the lower base portion 54. The translucent cover 58 issecured to the removable element by screws 80 which pass through spacedholes 82 in the cover and spaced slots 84 in the key element 78 intonut-receiving notches 86 in which nuts 88 are held to threadably receivethe screws. As the screws 80 are tightened into the captivated nuts 88the cover 58 is tightened into position against its own resilience bythe key elements 76 and 78 which then bear against respectively oppositewalls of the keyways 66 and 68.

It will be noted in FIG. 9 that the back wall 74 ofthe cover 58 forms aslight angle with the upright portion 56 ofthe base structure, leaving aslight angular space 90 therebetween. and that the keys 76 and 78 areslightly smaller than the keyways, leaving some spacing therewithin aswell. These tolerances are deliberately provided in order to permit moreflexibility to absorb the impact of vehicle wheels striking thetranslucent cover 58 and flexing it as it responds resiliently to theforce of impact. These spacings also provide greater ease of assemblywithout any loss of security, since looseness between the cover and thebase structure is prohibited by the unique construction whereby the keysbrace in opposite directions in their respective keyways.

The right-angled shape of the base structure and matching quarter-roundshape of the cover not only provides the advantage of hidden fasteningelements as described, but also provides support for any vehicle ridingacross the curbing since the upright portion 56 (or 64) extends to thesame height as the translucent, resilient cover portion 58. In addition,as in the case of the nose section, the lower portion 54 is ofsufficient thickness to permit resurfacing of the roadway withoutdisturbing the curbing and without covering the removable translucentportion thereof.

The base structure preferably includes vertical holes or slots 92 at theends of the lower portion 54 to receive electrical conduits beneath theends 94 of the translucent cover 58, which are closed to complete theairtight diving bell configuration in accordance with the invention.

The illumination fixture incorporated into the curbing may be of thefluorescent or incandescent type, the former being illustrated in thedrawings in connection with the elongated sections and the latter inconnection with the nose section. The illustrated fluorescent fixture 96(FIG. 7) comprises an upper illuminator portion including a standardlength fluorescent bulb 98 and end sockets 100, and a lower conduitportion including a tubular conduit 102 and end mountings 104. Thefixture is preferably preassembled by securing the end sockets to theend mountings 104 for installation of the entire fixture as a unit, withthe conduit 102 threadably interconnecting the end assemblies. Theentire fixture is secured to the lower portion 54 of the base structureby a pair of two-piece clamps, the lower portions 106 of which arefastened to the base structure and the upper hook portions of which arefastened to the mountings 106 upon installation. Elbow sections 110 arecoupled to mountings 104 and to conduits 112 and are received in the endslots 92 to complete the installation.

It is important to note that the illuminator 98 is mounted within thediving bell configuration of the translucent cover 58 well above thelower edges of the downwardly extending side walls, just as in the nosesection. Hence water entering the illuminated curbing under floodingconditions cannot reach the illuminator because of the air compressedwithin the cover. The vertical distance from the lower edges of thecover wall is generally sufficient to accommodate normal roadway gradesso that the illuminated curbing can be employed on slopes without dangerof being flooded. While the entire fixture including the conduit portionthereof may be mounted above the lower edges of the translucent cover,this is generally not necessary since the subsurface electrical wiringemployed is covered by a waterproof insulating jacket anyway. It is onlynecessary that the electrical connections, which are made within thesocket elements 100, be kept dry to avoid short circuits under floodingconditions.

When a number of curbing sections are mounted in a row, and thepotential for flooding is slight, it may be preferred to utilize astraight connecting conduit coupled between adjacent curbing sectionsand aligned with conduits 102, rather than utilizing elbows or Uconnectors passing beneath the edges of end walls 94 of adjacenttranslucent covers 58. Hence knock-outs 114 are provided in the endwalls.

While various modifications may be employed to accommodate particularroadway and curbing illumination requirements, the combinations offeatures disclosed herein provide illuminated curbing constructionsadapted to most situations. The relatively simple, yet rugged anddurable structures are easily installed and maintained and enhanceroadway safety to a significant degree. Other advantages will beapparent to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:

1. An illuminated curbing construction comprising:

1. a base structure adapted to be secured to a supporting surface;

2. a light transmitting cover mounted on said base structure and havingairtight top and side walls integrally connected and open at the bottomto form a diving bell configuration for preventing entry of water abovea predetermined level therein;

3. means for removably securing said cover to said base structure; and

4. illuminator means mounted on said base structure and within saidcover above said predetermined level.

2. The illuminated curbing construction defined in claim 1 wherein:

I. said base structure includes a horizontal base portion beneath saidcover and an upright base portion outside said cover and ofsubstantially the same height as said cover; and

2. said cover includes an upright back wall engaging said upright baseportion and interconnected top and front wall portions extending fromsaid back wall to said horizontal base portion.

3. The illuminated curbing construction defined in claim 2 wherein saidsecuring means comprises 1. a horizontal keyway formed in one of saidupright base portion and cover back wall and a corresponding horizontalkey formed on the other to engage said keyway; and

2. fastening means for securing said front wall portion to saidhorizontal base portion to hold said key and keyway in engagement.

4. The illuminated curbing construction defined in claim 3 wherein saidfastening means comprises:

1. a keyway formed in said horizontal base portion and extendingsubstantially parallel to said upright base portion;

2. a removable key element adapted to fit into the keyway in saidhorizontal base portion; and

3. means for fastening the front wall portion of said cover to saidremovable key element.

5. The illuminated curbing construction defined in claim 3 wherein saidkey and keyway terminate at each end thereof at points spaced from theends of said upright base portion and cover back wall.

6. The illuminated curbing construction defined in claim 5 wherein saidkeyway is formed in said upright base portion and said key is formed onsaid cover back wall.

7. The illuminated curbing construction defined in claim 2 wherein saidbase structure and cover are elongated to form a curbing section forinstallation parallel to a roadway.

8. The illuminated curbing construction defined in claim 7 includingfirst and second such horizontal base portions connected on oppositesides of said upright base portion and first and second parallel coverportions mounted thereon to form a double face curbing for installationbetween parallel roadways.

9. The illuminated curbing construction defined in claim 1 wherein saidbase structure and cover have parallel substantially straight rearsurfaces and substantially curved front surfaces to form a nose sectionfor installation at the end of a curbing structure.

10. The illuminated curbing construction defined in claim 9 wherein saidbase structure includes an upright peripheral flange spaced inwardlyfrom said surfaces and extending'upwardly into said cover, and saidsecuring means comprises a plurality of fasteners spaced horizontallyalong said front surfaces and securing the lower edge of said cover tosaid flange.

1. An illuminated curbing construction comprising:
 1. a base structureadapted to be secured to a supporting surface;
 2. a light transmittingcover mounted on said base structure and having airtight top and sidewalls integrally connected and open at the bottom to form a diving bellconfiguration for preventing entry of water above a predetermined leveltherein;
 3. means for removably securing said cover to said basestructure; and
 4. illuminator means mounted on said base structure andwithin said cover above said predetermined level.
 2. a lighttransmitting cover mounted on said base structure and having airtighttop and side walls integrally connected and open at the bottom to form adiving bell configuration for preventing entry of water above apredetermined level therein;
 2. The illuminated curbing constructiondefined in claim 1 wherein:
 2. said cover includes an upright back wallengaging said upright base portion and interconnected top and front wallportions extending from said back wall to said horizontal base portion.2. fastening means for securing said front wall portion to saidhorizontal base portion to hold said key and keyway in engagement.
 2. aremovable key element adapted to fit into the keyway in said horizontalbase portion; and
 3. means for fastening the front wall portion of saidcover to said removable key element.
 3. The illuminated curbingconstruction defined in claim 2 wherein said securing means comprises 3.means for removably securing said cover to said base structure; and 4.illuminator means mounted on said base structure and within said coverabove said predetermined level.
 4. The illuminated curbing constructiondefined in claim 3 wherein said fastening means comprises:
 5. Theilluminated curbing construction defined in claim 3 wherein said key andkeyway terminate at each end thereof at points spaced from the ends ofsaid upright base portion and cover back wall.
 6. The illuminatedcurbing construction defined in claim 5 wherein said keyway is formed insaid upright base portion and said key is formed on said cover backwall.
 7. The illuminated curbing construction defined in claim 2 whereinsaid base structure and cover are elongated to form a curbing sectionfor installation parallel to a roadway.
 8. The illuminated curbingconstruction defined in claim 7 including first and second suchhorizontal base portions connected on opposite sides of said uprightbase portion and first and second parallel cover portions mountedthereon to form a double face curbing for installation between parallelroadways.
 9. The illuminated curbing construction defined in claim 1wherein said base structure and cover have parallel substantiallystraight rear surfaces and substantially curved front surfaces to form anose section for installation at the end of a curbing structure.
 10. Theilluminated curbing construction defined in claim 9 wherein said basestructure includes an upright peripheral flange spaced inwardly fromsaid surfaces and extending upwardly into said cover, and said securingmeans comprises a plurality of fasteners spaced horizontally along saidfront surfaces and securing the lower edge of said cover to said flange.